From the Pastor's Desk

May/June 2013

Where were you when the world stopped running, that April Day? Would Allen Jackson rewrite his ode to 9-11 this way? The question, the statement, "Where was God?" has been asked, been stated, and even prayed over after this week’s events. From Texas to Boston, lives have been lost, lives have been changed forever. Forever is a strong word. So, where was God? He was in the faces of rescue workers, EMT personnel, firefighters, runners in the Marathon who were health care providers the day before the race. God was, is and will always be with us. The loss of lives, limbs and futures makes one wonder what is going on in the world today. What should we try to ban next? What new laws can stop this? Laws were made thousands of years ago on how to live. The Old Testament banned the worship of false idols. What will stop all of this? One answer, Mark 12:30-31…"Love your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and all your strength."…and "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love, God is love. Love heals, love binds. Where do we go from here? Take it to the Lord in prayer. We can feel so far removed from these at times. But there were many local people in Boston that day. Their stories have been told. Stories of rescue, nurturing, consoling and loving people they have never seen before and probably will never see again. One thing we can, need to do, is pray. Pray for healing, even forgiveness for those that did this. Those are hard things, but necessary. If you have a hard time praying, there are always two words that can get you started…"Dear God…" the rest will come. Where is your Boston? Where have you felt, so far removed from God? Had the feeling God isn’t around? There is always a time, a place, and a way to see, feel, and hear God. Try it in your prayer time. Try it on your next drive in the country. Try it next time you feel alone. God is here. When you wake up in the morning, God is there, try to find Him during your day and night. Spring is here even though it hasn’t seemed like it with record low temps and all the rain and snow. God is love, God is here, and God will always be here. He will be here with the highs and the lows.

The next sunrise or sunset you see, give thanks to God, those are His. When you see the next baby, give thanks to God, that is His miracle. The next time you pray to God, thank Him, that moment is His. Let us give thanks to our lives, they are His.